Friends! I am on the ground and running in Romania!!!
After four days of traveling, three countries and an 18 hour bus ride, my squad wound up in Draganesti, Romania. I’m living in one room with 3 bunk beds and seven girls. My team and I worked out our food budget and organized meal plans. We’ve been stressed, stretched, and exhausted. And it’s only Day 2!
I’m sure many of you have been eager to hear what my first ministry project would be. Yesterday, our host (Raul of Hope Church.. Look it up!) assigned us to an eyeglass ministry. Each one of my squad mates was given a task for the day. Mine was counseling. As people walked in, they would be greeted. Then their blood pressure was taken. After that, they were directed to a counselor (Me).
Throughout the day, a couple of dozen men and women sat down and spoke to me through a translator. My translator was absolutely amazing by the way! The very first woman to sit in front of me broke my heart. This is a basic transcript of our conversation.
Me: Hello! My name is Chessie. What’s yours?
A: Alexandra.
Me: What a beautiful name! Is there anything going on that I could pray for you?
A: My health, I guess.
Me: Okay, is there anything more specific?
Her eyes began to tear up and she nodded.
A: My son’s wife left him for another man.
As she began to relay another sentence to my translator, my translator struggled in figuring out one particular word. My heart dropped to my stomach when she said “How do you say when one kills themselves?”. I answered “Suicide. That’s the word.” I held Alexandra’s hands as she continued.
A: My other son killed himself a little while ago. I am alone.
In moments such as that, with dozens of voices making the church noisy and the heat causing some tension, there is little else to do besides hold fast to the Father’s voice. Slowly and simply, I told Alexandra the story of Naomi. A widow found herself with no more sons, no husband, and alone. God loves his children, and he didn’t create us for loneliness. He loved Naomi so much that he provided a young woman named Ruth to stay with her. I reminded her that here, in this church, there are women like Ruth that would love to continue to ease her loneliness. Christ called us to love one another just like he loves us! She was so encouraged and kissed me on both cheeks. We prayed and she went on to receive her eyeglasses. Now, I don’t know for sure that Alexandra will be radically changed into an active member of the local church. What I do know is that she heard the truth of Christ’s character. And that is enough.
I hope to post at least once per week as our ministry continues! Please check back for updates and do not hesitate to email me directly! I can’t receive mail, so those emails are my little window into all of your lives!
Talk soon!
-Chessie
